Balloon support apparatus

ABSTRACT

The current inventive technology includes methods and apparatus for a balloon display system. In one embodiment, the invention includes an balloon display apparatus having at least one mounting pole; at least one balloon cluster pole bracket secured to a mounting pole having at least one coupling; at least one flexible rod configured to be secured to a coupling; and at least one inflatable balloon configured to be secured to the upper portion of a flexible rod.

This application is a continuation of non-provisional patent applicationSer. No. 13/442,206, filed Apr. 9, 2012; which claims the benefit of aprovisional patent application No. 61/518,587, filed May 9, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to outdoor or indoor showroom and party balloondisplays and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to anoutdoor balloon display system having an inflatable balloon or aplurality of inflatable balloons with a circular balloon holder cup, aflexible rod and an optional mounting pole. The balloon system can beattached to a vehicle, mounted on the top of an outside ground surface,mounted on top of a show room floor, and suspended from a wall and likeapplications.

(b) Discussion of Prior Art

Heretofore in the display of typical latex balloons, the balloons areinflated and suspended individually, using string or ribbon, on thesurface of a wall or a roof. Also, the balloons can be held together ina balloon cluster using string, cord and like securing devices. Theseballoons have a short life, oxidize and lose their color and quicklydeflate with the gas passing easily through the balloons latex membrane.Balloons made of Mylar or foil tend to expand with an increase intemperature and pop. Also, these type of balloons can wrinkle or sagwith a decrease in temperature. Further, Mylar balloons are created bypressing together two sheets of material and therefore they have anunattractive and visible seam. Still further, Mylar balloons don't havea perfectly round shape along an x-axis or horizontal axis, as used inthe subject invention. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,148 to Cotey, U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,167,204 and 3,994,324 to Zeyra, different types of valves andapparatus are described for inflating party balloons. Also, U.S. Pat.No. 6,782,675 to Banks et al. describes a system for packaging anddistributing balloons in a hydrated state. None of the above mentionedprior art patents describe the unique structure, function and advantagesof the subject indoor or outdoor balloon display system with one or morereusable and re-inflatable, heavy plastic polymer, seamless balloons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is a primary objective of the subjectinvention to provide a balloon display system having an inflatable,re-inflatable and reusable heavy duty, seamless on the interior of theballoon with a small line on the outside of the balloon, plastic polymerballoon. The balloon by design isn't subject to temperaturefluctuations, particularly when used outdoors. Also, the balloon isdesigned to be filled with air, thus eliminating the expense of usinghelium. Further, the balloon is a rotationally molded plastic balloon sothat it can be inflated with much more air pressure when compared toconventional balloons.

Another object of the invention is the balloon can also be quicklydeflated for ease in transporting and storage and at a later dateinflated again for display. The balloon can be used time and againwithout the added expense of replacing deflated or punctured balloons.The balloon display system can be used in showrooms, party rooms, andvarious other indoor and outdoor areas having balloon displays. Yetanother object of the balloon display system is the heavy-duty balloonis mounted on a balloon holder cup with a flexible rod and a flexible orrigid mounting pole. The flexible rod can be attached to the side of avehicle parked outside or a vehicle parked inside a showroom. Theflexible rod easily moves the attached balloon back and forth forattracting an observer's eye. Also, the flexible or rigid mounting polecan be easily inserted into the top of a ground surface for outdoordisplay, mounted on various types of brackets attached to signs, poles,fences and windows, and mounted on a weighted base stand. Still anotherobject of the balloon display system is the mounting pole can includeone or more balloon cluster brackets. The balloon cluster brackets areused for attachment to a lower end of flexible rod with attached balloonfor forming an attractive balloon cluster display. The subject balloondisplay system includes a heavy plastic polymer, molded, inflatableballoon. The balloon is mounted on top of a circular balloon holder cup.The cup and the balloon are attached to an upper end of a flexible rod.A lower end of a flexible rod can be attached to a flexible or a rigid,hollow mounting pole. A lower end of the mounting pole can be attachedto an upper end of a ground stake. A lower end of the ground stake canbe attached to a ground plate and inserted into a ground surface. Alsothe lower end of the mounting pole can be mounted on top of a weightedbase stand or mounted on top of or attached to various objects. Theseand other objects of the present invention will become apparent to thosefamiliar with balloon displays when reviewing the following detaileddescription, showing novel construction, combination, and elements asherein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it beingunderstood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosedinvention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of theclaims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate complete preferred embodiments inthe present invention according to the best modes presently devised forthe practical application of various types of indoor and outdoor balloondisplays, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the subject balloondisplay system illustrating an inflatable balloon, a balloon holder cup,a flexible rod and a flexible or rigid mounting pole for mounting on adisplay stand or inserted into to a ground surface.

FIG. 2 illustrates a lower portion of the balloon, a balloon holder cup,a rod bracket attached to an upper end portion of a flexible rod and aballoon attachment plug shown in cross section. The attachment plug isused for receipt through a center hole in the cup and into a femalevalve housing in the bottom of the balloon.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the balloon and the rod bracketpositioned for attaching the flexible rod to a lower threaded end of theattachment plug. The plug is shown attached to the balloon holder cupand the balloon.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 and illustrates a perspective view of theflexible rod secured to the bottom of the balloon.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged perspective view of a balloon clusterpole bracket positioned for attachment to a portion of the mountingpole.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 and shows the balloon cluster pole bracketattached to the mounting pole using a spring biased lock button.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the balloon display system with themounting pole having a pair of spaced apart balloon cluster polebrackets. The pole brackets are used for attaching additional flexiblerods with attached balloons for forming a balloon cluster.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the subject balloon displaysystem having a cluster of five flexible rods with attached balloonsmounted on the pole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of the subject balloon displaysystem is illustrated having a general reference numeral 10. The balloondisplay system 10 broadly includes an inflatable balloons, which mayinclude in some embodiments, for example heavy plastic polymer, molded,inflatable balloons 12, a circular balloon holder cup 14 attached to abottom portion of the balloon 12, a flexible rod 16, made of fiberglassor the like, having an upper end portion disposed next to the cup 14 andthe bottom of the balloon 12 and a rigid or flexible, hollow mountingpole 18.

A lower end of the mounting pole can be attached to an anchoring stake20. A lower end of the stake 20 can be attached to a ground plate 22 andinserted into the top of a ground surface. Also, the lower end of themounting pole 18 can be inserted into the top of a weighted base stand24 for holding the balloon display system 10 upright. The hollowmounting pole 18 can be made of a flexible fiberglass or a rigid metalor rigid plastic material.

The balloon 12 includes an inflation and deflation air port 26 forreceiving an air port plug 28. The air port 26 is shown in a lowerportion of the balloon, but it can be located in various positions onthe balloon. By removing the plug 28, the balloon 12 can be quicklyinflated, deflated or re-inflated with additional air using an air pump.

The balloon holding cup 14 includes a center hole 29 and three equallyspaced apart cup flanges 30 with cup flange holes 32 disposed around thebottom of the cup. The cup flange holes 32 can be seen more clearly inFIG. 2. The top of the cup 14 is concave in shape for engaging a convexbottom portion of the balloon 12.

The flexible rod 16 includes an upper end portion with a rod bracket 34which in some embodiments may have a flared upper portion. The rodbracket 34 includes a pair of equally spaced apart rod bracket flanges36, with rod bracket flange holes 38, disposed around the side of thebracket. The flange holes 38 are shown more clearly in FIG. 2. Theflexible rod 16 also includes a lower end portion with a rod socket 40.An inside of the rod socket 40 includes a twist lock used engaging apair of outwardly extending studs 42 mounted on an upper end portion 44of the hollow mounting pole 18 for securing the flexible rod 16 on thetop of the hollow pole 18. Also shown in this drawing is a balloonattachment plug 46 having a male barbed upper portion 48, which is usedfor inserting into a female valve housing 50 in the bottom of theballoon 12, for securing the balloon thereto. The plug 46 also includesa lower threaded end portion 52, which is received through the centerhole 29 in the cup 14 and threaded into the top of the rod bracket 34.This structure of the plug 46 can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2. Whilethe plug 46 is shown in the drawings, it should be kept in mind varioustypes of attachments or fasteners can be used equally well for securingthe flexible rod 16 to the bottom of the balloon 12.

In FIG. 2, an enlarged view of a bottom portion of the balloon 12, thecup 14, the attachment plug 46 and the rod bracket 34 are shown in crosssection. When the plug 46 and rod bracket 34 are secured to the bottomof the balloon 12, the cup flanges 30 of the cup 14 are disposed next tothe rod bracket flanges 36 of the rod bracket 34. At this time, one ormore anti-theft zip ties 58 can be passed through the adjacent cupflange holes 32 and the bracket flange holes 38 for securing the cupflanges 30 and the rod bracket flanges 36 together to prevent theballoon display system 10 from being easily stolen.

In FIG. 3, the rod bracket 34 is shown attached to the top of theflexible rod 16. The rod bracket 34 includes a threaded female openingin the top thereof and positioned for receiving the threaded end portion52 of the plug 46, as indicated by the arrow 56.

In FIG. 4, the flexible rod 16 is shown secured to the cup 14 and thebottom of the balloon 12 using the rod bracket 34 attached to the lowerthreaded end portion 52 of the barbed plug 46.

In FIG. 5, an enlarged perspective view of a balloon cluster polebracket 60 is shown received around a portion of the mounting pole 18.The bracket 60 includes a pair of upwardly extending, twist lockcouplings 62 having a pair of studs 42. Each coupling 62 is used forinserting into the rod socket 40 of the flexible rod 16 with balloon 12to form a decorative balloon cluster, as shown in FIG. 8. Also shown inthis drawing is the mounting pole 18 having a spring biased, lock button64. The pole bracket 60 includes a button hole 66.

In FIG. 6, another enlarged perspective view of the balloon cluster polebracket 60 is shown. By pushing the button 64 inwardly and sliding thebracket upwardly, the button 64 can be indexed with the button hole 66.At this time, the button 64 is received through the button hole 66, thuslocking the balloon cluster pole bracket 60 on the mounting pole 18.Obviously, the balloon cluster pole bracket 60 can be attached to themounting pole 18 in a variety of ways and without departing from thespirit and scope of the subject invention.

In FIG. 7, another perspective view of the balloon display system 10 isillustrated. In this view, the hollow mounting pole 18 includes a pairof spaced apart balloon cluster pole brackets 60 positioned forattaching additional flexible rods 16 with attached balloons 12.

In FIG. 8, a perspective view of a completed display of cluster balloons12 is shown using the subject balloon display system 10. In this exampleand by using two of the balloon cluster pole brackets 60, five of theflexible rods 16 with attached balloons 12 are shown mounted on the pole18.

While the invention has been particularly shown, described andillustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments andmodifications thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in theart that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention asclaimed except as precluded by the prior art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A helium-free multi-balloon display comprising:at least one mounting pole having an upper portion and a lower portion;at least one balloon cluster pole bracket secured to said mounting pole;at least one first flexible rod configured to be secured to at least onecoupling on said balloon cluster pole bracket such that said securedflexible rod is projected upwards; at least one second flexible rodconfigured to be secured to said upper portion of said mounting polesuch that said secured flexible rod is projected upwards; at least onehelium-free inflatable balloon having at least one inflation anddeflation air port and further configured to be secured to the upperportion of said flexible rod through at least one attachment plug; atleast one anchoring stake configured to be coupled with said mountingpole; at least one ground plate; and at least one air port plugconfigured to be secured with said inflation and deflation air port. 2.A helium-free multi-balloon display as described in claim 1 wherein saidballoon cluster pole bracket comprises a balloon cluster pole bracketselected from the group consisting of: at least one balloon cluster polebracket secured to said mounting pole by at least one spring lock; atleast one balloon cluster pole bracket secured to said mounting pole byat least one twist lock; and at least one balloon cluster pole bracketsecured to said mounting pole by at least one threaded lock.
 3. Ahelium-free multi-balloon display as described in claim 1 wherein saidballoon cluster pole bracket comprises a plurality of balloon clusterpole brackets secured to said mounting pole in a biased configuration.4. A helium-free multi-balloon display as described in claim 1 whereinsaid first flexible rod comprises at least one flexible rod selectedfrom the group consisting of: at least one first flexible rod configuredto be secured to at least one coupling by at least one snap lock; atleast one first flexible rod configured to be secured to at least onecoupling by at least one twist lock; and at least one first flexible rodconfigured to be secured to at least one coupling by at least onethreaded lock.
 5. A helium-free multi-balloon display as described inclaim 1 wherein said second flexible rod comprises at least one secondflexible rod selected from the group consisting of: at least one secondflexible rod configured to be secured to the upper portion of saidmounting pole by at least one snap lock; at least one second flexiblerod configured to be secured to the upper portion of said mounting poleby at least one twist lock; and at least one second flexible rodconfigured to be secured to the upper portion of said mounting pole byat least one threaded lock.
 6. A helium-free multi-balloon display asdescribed in claim 1 wherein said helium-free inflatable ballooncomprises at least one molded balloon.
 7. A helium-free multi-balloondisplay as described in claim 1 wherein said upper portion of saidflexible rod comprises at least one rod bracket.
 8. A helium-freemulti-balloon display as described in claim 7 wherein said rod bracketcomprises a flared rod bracket.
 9. A helium-free multi-balloon displayas described in claim 1 wherein said attachment plug comprises anattachment plug selected from the group consisting of: an attachmentplug configured to be secured to said upper portion of said flexible rodby at least one snap lock; an attachment plug configured to be securedto said upper portion of said flexible rod by at least one threadedlock; and an attachment plug configured to be secured to said upperportion of said flexible rod by at least one twist lock.
 10. Ahelium-free multi-balloon display as described in claim 1 wherein saidanchoring stake configured to be coupled with said mounting polecomprises at least one anchoring stake configured to be inserted intosaid mounting pole.
 11. A molded helium-free balloon display comprising:at least one mounting pole; a plurality of balloon cluster pole bracketseach having at least one coupling secured to said mounting pole in abiased configuration; at least one first flexible rod configured to besecured to at least one of said couplings on at least one of saidballoon cluster pole brackets; at least one second flexible rodconfigured to be secured to the upper portion of said mounting pole; andat least one helium-free inflatable balloon configured to be secured tothe upper portion of said flexible rod through at least one attachmentplug.
 12. A molded helium-free balloon display as described in claim 11and further comprising at least one base stand configured to be coupledwith said mounting pole.
 13. A molded helium-free balloon display asdescribed in claim 11 wherein said balloon cluster pole bracketcomprises at least one balloon cluster pole bracket selected from thegroup consisting of: at least one balloon cluster pole bracket securedto said mounting pole by at least one spring lock; at least one ballooncluster pole bracket secured to said mounting pole by at least one twistlock; and at least one balloon cluster pole bracket secured to saidmounting pole by at least one threaded lock.
 14. A molded helium-freeballoon display as described in claim 11 wherein said mounting polecomprises an anchoring stake.
 15. A molded helium-free balloon displayas described in claim 11 wherein said first flexible rod comprises atleast one first flexible rod selected from the group consisting of: atleast one first flexible rod configured to be secured to at least one ofsaid couplings by at least one snap lock; at least one first flexiblerod configured to be secured to at least one of said couplings by atleast one threaded lock; and at least one first flexible rod configuredto be secured to at least one of said couplings by at least one twistlock.
 16. A molded helium-free balloon display as described in claim 11and further comprising at least one anchoring stake configured to becoupled with said mounting pole.
 17. A molded helium-free balloondisplay as described in claim 11 wherein said second flexible rodcomprises at least one flexible rod selected from the group consistingof: at least one second flexible rod configured to be secured to saidupper portion of said mounting pole by at least one snap lock; at leastone second flexible rod configured to be secured to said upper portionof said mounting pole by at least one twist lock; and at least onesecond flexible rod configured to be secured to said upper portion ofsaid mounting pole by at least one threaded lock.
 18. A moldedhelium-free balloon display as described in claim 11 wherein said upperportion of said flexible rod comprises at least one rod bracket.
 19. Amolded helium-free balloon display as described in claim 18 wherein saidrod bracket comprises a flared rod bracket.
 20. A molded helium-freeballoon display as described in claim 11 wherein said attachment plugcomprises an attachment plug selected from the group consisting of: anattachment plug configured to be secured to said upper portion of saidflexible rod by at least one snap lock; an attachment plug configured tobe secured to said upper portion of said flexible rod by at least onethreaded lock; and an attachment plug configured to be secured to saidupper portion of said flexible rod by at least one twist lock.
 21. Ahelium-free balloon display comprising: at least one mounting pole; aplurality of balloon cluster pole brackets each having at least onecoupling secured to said mounting pole in a biased configuration; atleast one flexible rod configured to be secured to at least one of saidcouplings on at least one of said balloon cluster pole brackets; and atleast one helium-free inflatable balloon configured to be secured to theupper portion of said flexible rod.
 22. A helium-free balloon display asdescribed in claim 21 and further comprising at least one base standconfigured to be coupled with said mounting pole.
 23. A helium-freeballoon display as described in claim 21 wherein said balloon clusterpole bracket comprises at least one balloon cluster pole bracketselected from the group consisting of: at least one balloon cluster polebracket secured to said mounting pole by at least one spring lock; atleast one balloon cluster pole bracket secured to said mounting pole byat least one twist lock; and at least one balloon cluster pole bracketsecured to said mounting pole by at least one threaded lock.
 24. Ahelium-free balloon display as described in claim 21 wherein said firstflexible rod comprises at least one first flexible rod selected from thegroup consisting of: at least one first flexible rod configured to besecured to said coupling by at least one snap lock; at least one firstflexible rod configured to be secured to said coupling by at least onethreaded lock; and at least one first flexible rod configured to besecured to said coupling by at least one twist lock.
 25. A moldedhelium-free balloon display as described in claim 21 wherein said upperportion of said flexible rod comprises at least one rod bracket.
 26. Amolded helium-free balloon display as described in claim 25 wherein saidrod bracket comprises a flared rod bracket.
 27. A molded helium-freeballoon display as described in claim 21 and further comprising at leastone attachment plug configured to be secured to said upper portion ofsaid flexible rod selected from the group consisting of: an attachmentplug configured to be secured to said upper portion of said flexible rodby at least one snap lock; an attachment plug configured to be securedto said upper portion of said flexible rod by at least one threadedlock; and an attachment plug configured to be secured to said upperportion of said flexible rod by at least one twist lock.